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Arsene Wenger is "convinced" Barcelona will sign another forward despite expecting improvement from Antoine Griezmann.

Griezmann has struggled to hit top form in his first season at Barca, scoring 14 goals in 37 games since his €120 million ($135m) arrival from Atletico Madrid.

Barca are heavily linked with a move for Inter star Lautaro Martinez, who is considered a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez.

Former Arsenal manager Wenger believes Griezmann will improve, but feels Barcelona will add another forward this close season.

"Barcelona has always bought the greatest players. Personally, I'm not sure that Suarez needs to be replaced," he told beIN SPORTS.

"They can add another striker because it's true that Suarez and [Lionel] Messi are the main contributors and they might need somebody else who can score goals.

"I still think Griezmann at some stage will start to score goals, he doesn't look completely adapted, maybe now after confinement he will be refreshed because he's a good goalscorer as well.

"But I'm convinced they will buy another striker as well."

While Messi has scored 24 goals this season, Suarez has – like Griezmann – contributed 14, although he has played in 14 fewer games.

Barcelona, two points clear atop La Liga, resume their campaign away to Mallorca on Saturday.

Martin Braithwaite was one attacker the Catalans have recently added to their squad, with the Danish forward linking up with the club in February. 

While yet to score and set to see his play time limited further upon La Liga's return, Braithwaite is relishing the chance to learn from Suarez and train at a club like Barca. 

"I am so happy that Luis is back because when I came here he was injured and I haven't played with him," he told Goal. "I want to learn from him, he is one of the best strikers in the world and I am happy he is back.

"The training is totally different to what I was used to so I can feel I am developing a lot in the technical level. As a human I can feel I have more attention in such a big club like this but you must learn to live with all this attention."

Velez Sarsfield manager Pablo Cavallero has revealed Barcelona have enquired about the club's teenage star Thiago Almada.

The 19-year-old midfielder made his debut for Velez last season and is now approaching 50 first-team appearances for the Buenos Aires club.

While contracted to Velez until 2023, interest in the young Argentine has been growing with Manchester United and Atletico Madrid just some of the clubs linked. 

And Barcelona can now be added to that list with Cavallero confirming the Catalans have made an initial approach. 

"I know that Barcelona has asked within the technical secretariat for Almada, but we know that he is only 19 years old and has to continue maturing," Cavallero told Crack Deportivo via TNT Sports. 

"If an irresistible offer arrives for the player and the club, we will most likely consider it." 

Cavallero's comments come just days after a Velez board member also suggested the club are open to selling their teenage star as interest in Almada grows. 

“There is no way to hold him back,” the board member was quoted by ESPN. 

“To all the offers that are seen in the media, add one from the local market and two from Italy.

“We are going to wait for the market to open so that we know what is real and who is asking, and we will be as serious at the negotiating table as we have been since this administration began.”

In Goal's recent NxGn profile of Almada, the young star's tough upbringing in the Buenos Aires neighbourhood of Fuerte Apache was revealed, with matches between friends often broken up by gunshots. 

"I spent my childhood in the neighbourhood. I learned good and bad things," he told TyC Sports. "There were people who smoked next to me and I saw people walking with a gun in their hands."

In a further interview with Clarin, he added: "In the neighbourhood there are a lot who chose the bad road. It's one way or the other, and I had to choose."

This season, Almada has made 25 appearances for Velez in all competitions, scoring five goals and contributing two assists as his stock continues to rise. 

Youssef En-Nesyri’s Sevilla secured a 2-0 victory over Zouhair Feddal’s Real Betis in Thursday’s La Liga game.

The Spanish elite division returned after a three-month coronavirus-enforced hiatus.

Goals from Lucas Ocampos and Fernando were all the hosts needed to secure maximum points against the visitors in the Great Derby.

Sevilla came into the encounter with the intention of completing a double over Betis who stuttered in the first leg.

They had the first clear cut chance in the 19th minute but Ocampos headed Jules Kounde’s cross wide from the six-yard box.

Despite asking the questions in the keenly contested first-half, scores stood 0-0 at half-time with the Green and Whites hardly having a chance.

Ocampos handed his side a 56th-minute lead after beating goalkeeper Joel Robles from the penalty mark after Luuk de Jong was obstructed by Marc Bartra – which was confirmed by a VAR check.

That effort made the Argentine before the first Sevilla player to score in five consecutive Spanish topflight appearances since Alvaro Negredo in 2011.

Six minutes later, Fernando sealed the triumph with a header from a backheeled flick from Ocampos.

With the maximum points at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjan Stadium, Julen Lopetegui’s stay third in the log having accrued 50 points from 28 games. Their visitors have now lost 11 fixtures and occupy the 12th spot with 33 points from the same number of outings.

En-Nesyri replaced Luuk de Jong in the 71st minute for his seventh league appearance for Los Nervionenses so far this term since his €25 million move from Leganes in January.

His compatriot who is on-loan from Girona Yassine Bounou was an unused substitute.

For Betis, Feddal was a 46th-minute replacement for Sidnei but could do little to rescue his team from going down. He has now featured 11 times this season for the Green and Whites.

Club’s assistant captain and Algeria international Aissa Mandi was an unused substitute.

Real Betis would be hoping for redemption when they welcome Granada to Estadio Benito Villamarin on Monday, while Sevilla who are unbeaten in their last seven games across all competitions are guests of 13-placed Levante on the same day.

Rennes right-back Hamari Traore is delighted with his development and feels he is now a modern player.

The 28-year-old started his career at Paris FC as a forward before he was converted to a defender and has been impressive in the role.

The Mali international had hands in six goals scored by his side in the recently abruptly-ended 2019-20 Ligue 1 campaign – five assists and one goal – as the Roazhon Park outfit finished third on the league table.

Traore, who has been with the Red and Blacks since 2017, revealed he has improved on his defensive and offensive game since teaming up with Rennes.

“Even if we, players are often judged on our offensive contribution, we must be able to find a certain balance,” Traore told the club website.  

“I guess everyone has their own speciality, their own style of play. Besides, there are still a lot of players today who are much better defensively than offensively.

“I think I'm a modern player, who doesn't just defend. I try to be on all fronts, to be solid behind but also to be a good counter-attacker.

“I like having the ball, hurting the opponents by attacking and provoking. I like to take part in the offensive phases. In general, when a player can attack often in a match and project themselves with the ball, it's a good sign.

“When I started at Paris FC, I was still very offensive. It remains my preference today but I think I have progressed on the defensive aspect. I feel that I have more serenity in my game, defensive security. Of course, we can and must always progress.

“You must not centre on attacking. This style must be necessary to be attempted. Of course, I do this also in training with my teammates.

“I also had success this year, combined with that of the attackers who were precise and scored a lot of goals. I intend to continue working so that my attacks are even more decisive.”

Traore was a consistent performer for Julien Stephan’s side in the 2019-20 season, as he featured in 37 games across all competitions.

The defender will hope to continue his form next campaign and help the Red and Blacks challenge for the Ligue 1 title.

Lucas Ocampos and Fernando did the derby damage as Sevilla boosted their Champions League hopes with a 2-0 home win over Real Betis when the LaLiga season resumed on Thursday.

The first top-flight match in Spain since March 10 saw the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stands deserted, albeit with piped-in crowd chanting and a bank of CGI supporters generating some kind of atmosphere.

It was nothing like a true Seville derby, of course, but this will have to do while Spain, and the rest of the world, attempts to contain and eventually move forward from the coronavirus pandemic.

The goals had been long in coming by the time they arrived, with dominant Sevilla taking the lead after 56 minutes when Ocampos beat Joel Robles from the penalty spot after Luuk de Jong was impeded by Marc Bartra, a VAR check confirming the spot-kick.

It made Ocampos the first Sevilla player to score in five successive LaLiga appearances since Alvaro Negredo netted in six straight games nine years ago.

Sevilla's second goal came six minutes later, with a tremendous backheeled flick from Ocampos following a corner setting up Fernando to head home.

Ocampos had a fine game, hitting the angle of post and crossbar early on and showing no signs of any rustiness after a three-month break from competitive action.

Sevilla strengthened their grip on third place on a night when they commemorated the life of their long-serving former captain Marcelo Campanal, who died aged 89 in May.

A minute of reflection preceded the match as sombre music played, with those quiet moments dedicated to those whose lives have been lost to COVID-19 and on this occasion also to Campanal.

Sevilla's players wore shirts bearing his name as they took another step towards a top-four finish, with more recorded cheering and celebratory singing at the final whistle giving a firm indication of what to expect over the final weeks of this atypical season.

If you follow Gary Lineker on Twitter, there’s a fair chance you will have seen one of the platform’s more enduring running jokes.

“@GaryLineker shat on _____”.

It has been a favourite of ‘Football Twitter’ for a number of years, long enough ago that many will have seen the gag without knowing its origins.

The story comes from England’s memorable run to the semi-finals of the World Cup at Italia 90.

Sir Bobby Robson’s Three Lions began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland at Cagliari’s Stadio Sant’Elia.

Lineker got the opening goal inside 10 minutes. It was the first of four goals he would score at the tournament following his Golden Boot-winning six at the 1986 World Cup.

However, the former Barcelona forward, playing for Tottenham at the time, became unwell during the match.

He later explained the situation to BBC Radio 5 Live .

"I've never admitted to it, but it's true,” Lineker said.

“It was a World Cup game. It's filmed, I've seen it but unless you know [what was happening] you wouldn't know.

"I was not very well; I was poorly at half-time but I carried on.

"The ball went down the left-hand side. I did try to tackle someone, I stretched and then I relaxed myself.

“I was very fortunate it rained that night and I could do something about it. It was messy, it just came out, it happened. How much detail do you want?

"It's true; it was the opening game of the 1990 World Cup against the Republic of Ireland.

“You can see me rubbing the ground like a dog; it was the most horrendous experience of my life, but I tell you I never found so much space in a game than I did that night after that happened."

Somewhat admirably, Lineker played on until the 83rd minute, when he was put out of his misery and replaced by Wolves icon Steve Bull.

Luckily for Lineker, it would not prove the most memorable image of his from the tournament.

After England had gotten past Belgium and Cameroon, they were eliminated by eventual winners West Germany on penalties in the semi-final in Turin.

Star man Paul Gascoigne was booked in that game, meaning he would have missed the final if England had qualified.

The image of Lineker signalling his concern to the bench as Gascoigne fumed in the background has become one of the most iconic in England’s footballing history.

Toby Alderweireld has warned Tottenham's opponents that the Londoners are fit and raring to go following the coronavirus lockdown. 

Spurs will restart Premier League action on June 19 at home against Manchester United as normal service is resumed after the three-month hiatus caused by the pandemic. 

The clash could prove crucial in determining the identity of the division's Champions League qualifiers, with United currently occupying fifth place and Spurs trailing by four points back in eighth. 

And while lockdown necessitated a change in each club's training practices, Alderweireld insists that at Spurs at least there was no reduction in intensity. 

“I think we have prepared ourselves in the best way possible,” the Belgium defender explained to talkSPORT.

“People think because we were in lockdown, we were on some sort of holiday, but we weren’t.

“Friday we went in lockdown and Saturday and Sunday we were at home – but on Monday we were straight into zoom sessions and all of the equipment was sent to us at home for our muscles.

“We got the training we needed to keep our tone in the muscles. We had GPS for the running in the park – not easy running, tough running.

“So when we got back to training it was not like a holiday. And when we trained, we trained very hard. Sometimes it’s harder to train one-on-one than with the whole team. I think we are ready to compete.”

The Premier League's announcement that fixtures would resume came less than three weeks prior to the opening matches, but Alderweireld repeated that they have long been prepared to get back out on the pitch.

“You cannot compare [lockdown with pre-season]. We didn’t have a holiday, we just prepare and train by ourselves and we didn’t know when we were playing again," he added.

“Mentally and physically we had to be ready and we were absolutely ready at all time.

“The Premier League could have said that it could be two to three weeks but we knew we had to be ready.

“We just had to prepare ourselves physically and mentally for when the time was right to go back again.”

Former AS Roma midfielder Ahmed Apimah Barusso reveals he took inspiration from erstwhile Chelsea ace and former international team-mate Michael Essien in reaching the elite stage.

After years in the Italian lower divisions, the former Nania FC man earned his big break in 2007 when he signed for Roma from Serie B side Rimini.

His breakthrough, together with a fine start at Stadio Olimpico, secured him a place in Ghana's squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) where he played together with Essien.

“I was always arguing with my coach at Rimini. He told me I had to break into the national team set up and be like Michael Essien,” Barusso, whose career was weighed down by injuries, told CitiSports.

“Anytime Chelsea was playing that season, he would tell me to stop everything I was doing and watch the game and take notes on Essien’s performance.

”Michael Essien was a very great player at the time, and we played in a similar position.

”I had no choice but to watch because if I wasn’t able to answer his questions the following day, I’d be in trouble."

Essien, currently on the books of Azerbaijani fold Sabail, remains one of the most accomplished Ghanaian footballers.

The 37-year-old won the Ligue 1 title twice during his time with French giants Lyon.

After moving to Chelsea in 2005, he helped the Blues win the league in 2005-06 and 2009-10, lifted the FA Cup four times, the League Cup once, the Community Shield once and the Uefa Champions League in 2011-12.

Ahead of the start of the 2012-13 season, the Ghanaian joined Spanish giants Real Madrid on a season-long loan deal, reuniting with former manager Jose Mourinho.

After the Madrid stint, Essien would return to make five league appearances at Stamford Bridge before joining AC Milan on a permanent deal in 2014.

The Accra-born played for Bastia in France after leaving Ghanaian outfit Liberty Professionals. He was also on the books of Greek outfit Panathinaikos in 2015-16.

At international level, the utility man was among the group that qualified Ghana to their first-ever Fifa World Cup tournament in 2006, going ahead to play at the final tournament.

He also laced his boots for the Black Stars at the 2014 World Cup after missing the 2010 edition due to injury.

Kylian Mbappe has been hailed as "an exceptional player who makes the biggest clubs dream" as Paris Saint-Germain attempt to fend off interest in the France star.

The 21-year-old became the first teenager since Pele to score in a World Cup final two years ago, and he has kicked on since helping Les Bleus to that global triumph.

Former France and Manchester United striker Louis Saha says Mbappe is "the most valuable player on Earth", and claims it is only natural clubs such as Real Madrid should be sniffing around.

Mbappe scored 33 goals in Ligue 1 in the 2018-19 season, despite starting just 24 games, and managed 18 in 17 starts before the coronavirus pandemic shortened the 2019-20 campaign.

"He's completely in control of his own destiny," Saha told Stats Perform News.

"He's already a man at his young age. He's very mature, he knows what he wants. He doesn't hide and that's to his credit.

"At his age he manages to defy physics, he goes super fast. Anything we do in the normal way will be different for him, period.

"I think he's an exceptional player who makes the biggest clubs dream, which is normal. He's the most valuable player on Earth.

"So, it's normal for him to dream about things that other people or players wouldn't understand."

Mbappe will naturally want to make the most of his talent, whether in Paris or elsewhere, and Saha points to clubs with recent history of Champions League success as likely holding appeal.

The Real Madrid rumour is one that has persisted the longest, while Liverpool have also been touted as a possible future club for the former Monaco player.

Saha understands why such talk has endured, particularly given Mbappe has just two years remaining on his contract.

"I think that at some point, when you're in a club like Paris which is still developing, which is not at the level of Real, Barca or other clubs like Juventus, inevitably, without disrespect to the club… it will always remain a rumour," he added.

"As long as he doesn't sign [a new contract], it will always remain a rumour. Because he's a great player, he has to deal with it."

Following three months without domestic top-flight football, La Liga returns this weekend with the division’s big three—Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid—all in action.

The league leaders Barca are the first team in action, taking to the field away at Real Mallorca in Saturday’s late kick-off. 

With 11 games to play, the Catalan giants are two points clear at the top of the table, with their advantage having been cut before the lockdown with their 2-0 Clasico defeat by Real Madrid.

They’ll take encouragement from the fact that Mallorca have a miserable track record against Barca; they’re winless in their last nine league games against the leaders—drawing just one—and have conceded, on average, four per game in their last six defeats.

Expect goals aplenty when Barcelona return to action, even if Lionel Messi picked up an injury ahead of the comeback and has had to train alone at times this week in order to be fit for the restart.

Mallorca will surely be desperate for the Argentina superstar to miss out; he’s netted in each of his last six games against the islanders—11 goals in total including two hat-tricks—and the Vermilions will surely be relieved if he misses out!

However, on the other hand, this one may not be an entirely done deal.

Mallorca may be struggling, but Barca have already lost five away games in the top-flight so far this term—more than they’ve lost away from the Camp Nou in any season since the 2007-08 campaign.

Can Mallorca exploit these failings, or will Barcelona extend their advantage to five points before Real return to action?

SuperSport Fixtures

Saturday 13 June | Mallorca vs Barcelona | SS7 | Kickoff at 22:00 (CAT)

Sunday 14 June | Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid | SS1 & SS7 | Kickoff at 14:00 (CAT)

Sunday 14 June | Real Madrid vs Eibar | SS7 | Kickoff at 19:30 (CAT)

On Sunday, both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are in action, away at Athletic Bilbao and at home against Eibar respectively.

Atleti, down in sixth, are in the midst of a season of transition, although they’ve only won 11 matches—leaving them 13 points off the pace—they’ve only lost four, demonstrating that the same resiliency and organisation that have been hallmarks of Diego Simeone’s tenure remain present.

Nonetheless, Atleti have a fight on their hands to return to the Champions League next term, and an away game in the Basque region to return to action represents a tough assignment.

Real are overwhelming favourites for the visit of relegation battlers Eibar.

They’ve lost just one of their top-flight matches against the strugglers—3-0 away last term—and they also have a superb record against Basque sides, losing just one of their last 36 against opponents from the area at the Bernabeu.

Eibar’s all-time La Liga record against Real doesn’t make for encouraging reading, as the minnows have conceded 29 and scored only seven across all of their matches against Los Merengues.

The strugglers will be particularly wary about France’s Karim Benzema, who has netted twice in each of his last two La Liga outings against Eibar.

In fact, he’s scored more braces against The Gunsmiths than against any other side, and Jose Luis Mendilibar will be desperate to keep the star striker at bay this weekend.

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has helped FareShare reach its goal of supplying three million meals to vulnerable people in the United Kingdom by the end of June.

Rashford, 22, has been championed throughout the coronavirus pandemic for his commitment to helping those in need through charitable causes.

The England international has been getting involved in online gaming tournaments for charity and reserving United tickets for workers in the UK's National Health Service.

But arguably his most significant work has been with the charity FareShare, who, with Rashford's help have now reached the point where they will be able to provide a huge number vulnerable people in the UK with food.

His efforts were rewarded in May with a commendation from from the high sheriff of Greater Manchester, Eamonn O’Neal, who sent the United star a certificate praising his fund-raising efforts.

Rashford has raised more than £20 million ($25m) for FareShare, having initially targeted £100,000 worth of donations. He insists there is much work still to be done, though, and pledged to continue helping such causes for as long as there are British children without access to meals.

Writing on his official Twitter account on Thursday, Rashford said: "Guys, I have AMAZING news!! We had a goal that by end of June FareShare would be able to supply 3million meals to vulnerable people across the UK.

"TODAY we have met the financial goal to provide these meals. Thank you all SO much for the support.

"And whilst I'm celebrating this, there is SO much more to do. Trust me when I say, I will keep fighting until no child in the UK has to worry about where their next meal is coming from.

"This is England in 2020 and families need help."

Former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson has urged his old club to continue their pursuit of Ben Chilwell, claiming that the Leicester star represents an improvement at left-back. 

Chilwell, 23, has been one of the stars of the 2019-20 season for the Foxes as they sit in third place in the Premier League ahead of the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. 

That talent has not gone unnoticed, with the Blues in particular linked with a move this summer amid reports Leicester will demand upwards of £80 million ($101m).  

Goal revealed last week that Chilwell was Chelsea's latest transfer priority following Timo Werner's imminent move to Stamford Bridge and the previous capture of Ajax star Hakim Ziyech. 

And Johnson believes that the youngster has everything it takes to thrive in west London, telling talkSPORT: “I’ve said many times I am a fan of Chilwell. 

“I like the way he carries himself. You don’t really hear him unless it’s football related which I like, and I think he’s the sort of player Lamps [Frank Lampard] would connect with.

“He’s the sort of out-and-out left-back they haven’t had for a while.

“I know Ashley Cole was irreplaceable, but in terms of a natural, solid left-back, they haven’t had one for a while and I think he’ll do very well."

Marcos Alonso is the current occupant of the left-back spot, but Johnson believes that the Leicester man is more suited to the position.

“Alonso is a fantastic player. But I don’t think he’s a solid natural left-back," he added.

“There’s no doubt he is a wonderful footballer but Chilwell is a natural full-back.

“It’s a hefty price tag, there’s no doubting that, but if [Chelsea] can get a deal for him that is reasonable then he’s a player they should try to get.”

Chelsea, who were banned from last summer's transfer window and refrained from entering the market in January, currently occupy fourth place in the Premier League as they prepare to resume their campaign following the three-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Frank Lampard's charges will return to action for the first time on June 21, when they visit relegation battlers Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Jules Kounde has revealed Sevilla are focused on qualifying for the Champions League when La Liga resumes.

The Spanish top-flight was forced into a hiatus in March along with major football leagues across the world due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The league has, however, been given the green light by the government to restart behind closed doors on June 11 after safety measures have been put in place.

Julen Lopetegui’s men are currently third on the table with 47 points from 27 games, below Real Madrid and Barcelona. They will take on Levante on June 15. 

The 21-year-old centre-back, who is eligible to play for the Republic of Benin, stated his side’s aim is to maintain their current position on the log.

"We're not worrying about the table, although our aim is always clear, it's being in the Champions League. We're third and we're going to defend this position to the end to finish in those places," he told the club website.

"I have no doubt that we would return very well. We trained really well at home with the help of the coaches and we came back very prepared. Although the feelings of training at home are different and difficult. We feel good and we've already been back a month, we feel good for the first match.

"The mental and physical aspects are always important, but I think the mental aspect will be a little bit more important than normal because the fans won't be there to support us and it will be different.

“We're going to be in an environment we know little about and concentration is going to be very important during these days".

Kounde has played 26 times for the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan outfit in this campaign across all competitions and he is looking to continue his consistent showing for the side to boost his morale.

"As long as I play some matches consecutively I have more confidence, but when there have been difficult moments I never lost confidence. If you don't have confidence in yourself it's very difficult,” he continued.

“I was playing well before the break and I feel good now, I'm very keen to return to competitive action. It helps to be able to be with my teammates and fellow defenders. I'm a person who listens a lot and I take on board any advice they give me, because we're a team and everyone has their own importance within their age.

"It's very important to be confident in yourself, every player here has their importance. We're a team, although some play more and others less, but it's crucial for the team to be united and ready to play so many matches in so few days. Anything can happen in these games and it's important that we're all together.

“We've had a good month of preparation, we're ready. We've got a few things to look at before the match but we look good and we're very keen to play and begin La Liga again. We've got a lot of energy".

Victory against Levante will help Sevilla strengthen their third position as they are currently only one point above Real Sociedad and Getafe.

Allan Nyom has revealed Getafe is aiming to clinch victories against Granada and Espanyol when they meet in La Liga.

The Spanish top-flight has been suspended since mid-March following the outbreak of coronavirus in Spain and across the world.

The league, is, however, set to resume on June 11 behind closed doors after safety measures have been put in place having secured the government’s approval.

Getafe will take on Granada on Friday at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes in their opening game after the restart of the league before facing Espanyol four days later at Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

Jose Bordalas’ men are currently fifth on the league table with 46 points from 27 games, having won 13 matches, drawn seven and lost seven.  

The Cameroon international explained his side is looking to build on their performances before the league was forced into a hiatus.

“We expect a Granada that competes very well. It will be a difficult match. They want to win, but like us, we also want to win and start again with three points,” Nyom told the club website.

“Our goal is to beat Granada, then Espanyol and keep adding. We work very hard every day, but you have to have your feet on the ground to achieve your goals.”

The 32-year-old defender has been key to his side’s success in this campaign, having featured in 25 league games.

The right-back joined Getafe last summer permanently from Championship club West Bromwich Albion after impressing on loan.

The French-born Cameroonian started his career with AS Choisy-le-Roi youth setup before joining the Nancy academy.

He moved to Arles-Avignon and made 37 appearances for the side and then left for Udinese, who immediately loaned him to Granada.

He spent six years on loan at Nuevo Los Carmenes and made 204 league appearances to help them secure promotion to the Spanish top-flight before departing to Watford in 2015.

Nyom, who has 18 caps for Cameroon, will hope to continue his consistent form for Getafe in this campaign.

Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius claims he had "half the Premier League" following him prior to his move to Manchester City, while insisting that he would only leave Anfield if first-team football was on offer. 

Karius, 26, recently cut short a two-year loan spell at Besiktas to return to Merseyside, where he remains firmly behind Alisson in the club's pecking order. 

His first taste of life in England, however, came at the Reds' rivals City, having signed for the Manchester club as a teenager before leaving without making a single appearance. 

"I was playing in the U16 national team at the time, and there were a lot of scouts at the games. At 16 you could sign your first professional contract. I had offers from all sorts of clubs back then, but Manchester City went out of their way to help me," the keeper explained to Transfermarkt.

"They showed me a concrete plan, for example how I could make it to the senior game. That fascinated me. I could just as well imagine staying in Stuttgart - but the concept and their plan for me did not convince me as much as that of Man City. 

"So I said to myself: I'm going to take the challenge and I'm going to England.

"Who else was interested? It felt like half of the Premier League. In Germany, I actually only dealt with Stuttgart because VfB was and is known to do great youth work. I enjoyed great training there. 

"At that time I only listened to the plans of Man City and VfB. At that time, the arrival of investors [in clubs] was only just getting started. 

"Man City was actually a club that relied heavily on its own youngsters. Many made the breakthrough, the academy was in a good position - that's why I decided in the end on this club."

On his present situation, Karius left the door open for a move away from Anfield, on the condition that he would have to be moving to a club that would make him their first choice. 

"Of course I have to play if I am going to change clubs. It makes no sense to say: 'I'm leaving Liverpool for a worse club and I'm only number two there'," he added. 

"But I'm not in a pressure situation at all, I don't have to change.

"I can move forward in training at Liverpool. As the second-choice goalkeeper in England you know that you get your chances. 

"I am currently at the best club in the world, play for titles, have the highest level around me every day in training. I am fully aware that I am in a good position to be in Liverpool. I have great conditions there."

Paul Pogba is ready to play his best football for Manchester United and "shut down the critics", says former Red Devils striker Louis Saha.

France World Cup winner Pogba has struggled to deliver on the expectations that surrounded him when he returned for a second spell at United almost four years ago.

The former United academy prospect, whose career first properly flourished after a move to Juventus in 2012, has often faced blame for United's mediocre form since his return to the Premier League.

Fellow Frenchman Saha says Pogba, who has recovered from the injuries that have disrupted his season, is now determined to contribute to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team when English football resumes this month.

The United manager has been publicly supportive of Pogba, who could pair up with eye-catching January recruit Bruno Fernandes in midfield, and Saha says he remains a gem of a footballer.

Speaking to Stats Perform News, Saha said of Pogba: "He's one of the best players in the world. He had a tough season plagued by injuries. He came back very motivated, that's what some of the players told me.

"When I talk to him on the phone, he's super motivated, so I really want to see not a new Pogba, but Pogba with support. I don't think he was supported. Now he has Bruno Fernandes next to him, who's another leader, another creator."

Saha said that at times, with Pogba, shortcomings were made out to be "all his fault".

"I'm really excited about that sharing of the responsibilities, I really want to watch that team," said Saha, who won two Premier League titles at United.

Saha, a United player from 2004 to 2008, accepts Pogba will be linked with other clubs at the end of the season.

"The season is almost over and with the transfer market, his name will probably be in the box," Saha said. "But he's very motivated, he's incredibly talented, he already proved himself, but now he has a better platform to improve and shut down the critics, sometimes justified."

Another French player at United, Anthony Martial, has linked up well with Fernandes already, with their interplay earning plaudits this week from manager Solskjaer.

Saha praised Martial's development this season, in which he has become a regular scorer for United.

"I'm a real fan of Anthony," Saha said. "I was frustrated maybe a year ago because I knew his potential but, on the pitch, I saw him lost left or right. The guy, he can do anything, he's got huge potential."

Busoga United chairman Diana Hope Nyago has dismissed reports they sent a representative to the consultative meeting convened by Federation of Uganda Football Association (Fufa) on Wednesday.

Fufa had called the Premier League clubs to attend the meeting which sought to discuss matters pertaining to the 2020/21 season as well as club licensing issues.

Busoga were among the nine clubs that had objected to the meeting but a Mr Amin Bbosa was at Mengo House and claimed to be representing the club.

“I am confused with this whole situation,” Nyago told Football256.

“I am the club chair and I had refused to go, I have organised other club chairmen not to go. And even still if I wanted to delegate, I would have authorised a club official to go. [Amin] Bbosa is not a club official so I am asking who authorised him to go, and as who?

“These people are just posing; they do not know anything about the club. Amin doesn’t know how the club is run and doesn’t know even the directors of the club.”

Nyago further claimed Fufa's President Moses Magogo's arm-twisted clubs into attending the meeting.

“But what is wrong with [Moses] Magogo? What is wrong with these people?” Nyago asked.

“The problem is not those he [Magogo] is arm-twisting into attending because I am told they have been sending cash to these people to come and pose after realising they have no quorum for the meeting.

“This meeting was to be attended by club chairmen, but I ask the organisers to prove that these people who are not chairmen are there under the authorisation from their clubs.

“Even now, Bright Stars do have a representative from I don’t know where, and even Express have been represented but I spoke to their chairman [Kiryowa Kiwanuka] and he confirmed to me they won’t be attending."

Fufa Moses Magogo and his vice-presidents Justus Mugisha and Darius Mugoye led the meeting as Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi for Express, Rogers Mulindwa, Rogers Byamukama, and Hamid Juma for Fufa Executive Committee are recorded as attendees by Fufa.

SC Villa chairman William Nkemba, KCCA FC vice-chairman Aggrey Ashaba, Vipers SC's George William Mulindwa, Jamal Ngobi who is the Chairman of the newly-promoted MYDA FC and the club's CEO Muwanguzi Hanningtone were marked as some of the attendees too.

URA FC's General-Secretary Moses Kadhuyu, Police FC CEO Kidega Francis, Ahmed Hussein a board member at Bright Stars FC, Amin Bbosa of Busoga United FC, Agatha Kayemba from Busoga United FC did attend the meeting according to Fufa's records.